Parkland Passes Budget With 1.92 Percent Tax Hike

Parkland School District directors unanimously passed a $143,585,949 budget for the 2013-14 school year Tuesday night that raises real estate taxes 1.92 percent, translating into a 13.83 mill increase.
 
Director of Business Administration John Vignone noted that the preliminary budget introduced in February carried a 5.82 percent increase and a 14.36 mill hike. 

The 13.83 mills was a recalculation from 41.19 mills for purposes of the Lehigh County reassessment.

"We're glad to bring a budget like this and present it," Vignone said, "We've seen two years of good trends. We think we'll still be OK in a year. I can't guarantee that, but we're on the right road."

Homeowners in Upper Macungie Township, South Whitehall Township and North Whitehall Township with property holding an assessed value at the district average of $221,000 will now pay $3,056 in real estate taxes.

The school district utilized $4 million from its fund balance in order to help balance the budget, which equates to 0.56 mills to offset the tax increase. Vignone said the district's fund balance should stand at $21 million at the end of the 2012-13 budget cycle.

Parkland's Act 1 index for 2013-14 is 1.7 percent, equaling approximately $1,640,106, or 0.23 mills. 

"We are extremely proud of our district leadership team, as they continue to curtail expenditures, which helped us mitigate a tax increase in our community," said Superintendent Richard Sniscak. "By utilizing a collaborative approach, we can ensure that the competing interests of a high quality education and the taxpaying public to afford it and maintain a respectful balance."

Sniscak said he didn't want to minimize the loss of personnel over recent years, including this year, that reduced programs and increases class size.

Sniscak also noted that tax assessments appeals hurt the district's revenue to the tune to $2 million.
  
School directors also voted to lower the Parkland Community Library tax to 0.1 mills from 0.3 mills. Board President Jayne Bartlett said the millage adjustment is required as a result of the Lehigh County reassessment.

The school district prevailed in lawsuit filed by the Parkland Community Library, which sought to block the lowering of the millage rate.

"The library is held harmless. The court decision was just. It's a revenue neutral position for the library. If there is an appropriate place for an increase, it's to ask the public," said Sniscak.

The Parkland Community Library Board of Directors is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss bringing a possible voter referendum in November in order to help fund a new facility in Upper Macungie Township.